Chapter III: Flirtations and a Wager

Hello dearies! Let's pick up where we left off, shall we? I'm sure ya'll want to know how the party went down after Shane and Oliver's tango showcase. Oh… it was a fun night indeed…but don't take my word for it… See for yourself!

Oliver and Shane were overwhelmed by the crush of people who stood to congratulate them after their performance. They had been quite the hit! Everyone was thrilled to be there and couldn't stop talking about how impressed they were with their dancing abilities. Rumors were flying they could be contenders in a competition! When Hazel excitedly confronted them with that information, Shane and Oliver were baffled. Oliver retorted he knew nothing of the sort, so it simply couldn't be true.

Little did he know Franco was already campaigning for Shane and Oliver to become his amateur couple entry at the Denver Starlite Ball!

They retreated to the dressing area to take a breather, while they changed out of their costumes into attire more appropriate for the evening ahead.

Gazing adoringly at his wife, Oliver took in just how lovely she looked. "Shane, you are breathtaking," She had changed into a burnt orange wraparound dress with bell sleeves and nude stiletto heels. Her forever watch necklace was back around her neck. Shane took it off for the showcase but immediately slipped it back on after their dance. Oliver treasured that she always wore it. Her hair was loose from her updo, and it fell into untamed curls down over her shoulders. She had washed off the stage makeup, replacing it with her own. It highlighted her gorgeous blue eyes and striking cheekbones. Oliver exhaled as he looked at her to his heart's content.

Responding to his subtle sigh, Shane said, "You also look devastatingly handsome, Mr. O'Toole." She could get used to how Oliver looked nowadays. His style had relaxed considerably, and she wondered if he was fully aware of the changes. He kept his hair in the tousled style Franco had insisted on for the show. However, he had changed into a sharp navy- blue suit with a cream-colored dress shirt, left open collared with no tie. He looked positively mouthwatering! After the emotional roller coaster of their performance, Shane easily admitted to herself she'd much rather spend the evening at home with her husband, rather than socializing with a crowd at the Divino Bocadito. She nibbled lightly on her lower lip, as she unconsciously did every time her mind went elsewhere where Oliver was concerned.

"My love, when you look at me like that, all I want to do is cover you in kisses," Oliver said longingly.

"And when you look at me like that, all I want to do is this," Shane replied, as she walked purposefully towards him and pulled a startled Oliver into a secluded space within the dressing area. She pressed her lips to his, and Oliver immediately opened his mouth to deepen the kiss. With a whimper of pure, unadulterated pleasure, Shane crushed herself against him, her arms sliding over his shoulders. His hands clutched her hips, as he squeezed and pressed her closer, enveloped by the never-ending thirst he felt for his wife.

A dainty "ahem" snapped them out of their romantic haze. Vivianne and Joe had approached the dressing area with wine and glasses ready to toast the talented couple, only to witness their heated clinch. Vivianne just smiled, her beautiful countenance completely calm. Joe didn't know how to react…on one hand he was always in awe of Vivianne's poise, but on the other, he just wanted to laugh, remembering how awhile back it had been his children who caught him off-guard with Vivianne in his arms.

"Oh dear… Dad, Vivianne… we're sorry… but to be fair, you didn't even knock," Shane collected herself a bit quicker than Oliver did. She softened her words with one of her trademark brilliant smiles, enveloping Joe in a huge bearhug.

"So, what did you think, Dad?" Shane asked.

"Well, I think you guys have the kissing part perfected," Joe replied, a roguish smile spreading on his face.

"Dad!" Shane and Oliver cried out in unison.

"Joseph!" Vivianne exclaimed, alongside Oliver and Shane.

Joe held up his hands in playful self-defense. "Hey, if they could dish it out after catching us that time when they returned from Breckenridge, they most certainly can take it from us now," Joe said, looking at Vivianne as he made his point. Seeing how Oliver was about to turn purple in his obvious mortification, Joe approached his son, hugged him fiercely, and changed the subject. "I'm so proud of you, son. That was unquestionably outside of your comfort zone!"

Composing himself, Oliver replied, "It definitely was, and actually it is a welcome change. I find myself enjoying the process of trying new things. As long as they are with Shane, of course." He took his wife's hand and placed a gentle kiss on her fingertips.

"We wanted to have a celebratory glass of wine with you guys, but everyone's waiting for you," Vivianne chimed in.

"Ermmm, sorry to interrupt, but Shane, Oliver, I think you should come out here…" Hazel stood behind Joe and Vivianne, a worried tone in her voice.

Shane looked at Oliver apprehensively, wondering what was going on. As they approached the restaurant area, they noticed the floor had opened up for those who wanted to take basic tango lessons. Franco, along with Jane, one of the pro dancers, were demonstrating the movements for a simple salida. Off to the side, they both saw Rita moving not quite in step with the music. To say she had her own dancing style was an understatement! Norman stood next to her, mortified, swaying awkwardly from side-to-side. Rita was having the time of her life, her face exuding the happiness of a little kid on Christmas morning. Nobody dared to say anything to her. Franco even kept his thoughts to himself in a rare feat of self-control!

Shane brought a hand to her face, attempting to cover a chuckle.

"This certainly brings back memories," Oliver said, raising his brow. "Poor Norman."

"But look at her, Oliver. She's so happy."

"Uh oh, is Rita attempting to partner with Norman without practicing more?" Oliver asked, after seeing Rita and Norman clumsily take a stab at the infamous embrace. They couldn't quite synchronize, so their arms got tangled and they clumsily kept bumping into each other.

"They are in a class all their own, alright," Vivianne mentioned, as she stood next to Shane.

Caught up in the moment, Rita paid no attention to Franco's instructions and instead decided to try out one of those fancy moves she saw Shane and Oliver do in their dance.

"Rita, nooooo…!" Norman cried out, as his wife's leg slipped between his, causing both to lose their balance and land in quite an ungraceful heap on the floor. "Oooooompphhh," he grunted, while Rita simply laughed outright.

"Oooohhh, this is too much fun! Norman, we must sign up for lessons!"

Shane and Oliver looked at each other, smiling at Rita's boundless joy and lack of self-consciousness. Understanding his friend's predicament, Oliver said to Shane, "We'd better do something, or she's going to land Norman in a hospital."

"Will do, darling… but not tonight. Just look at them! It's so obvious Norman just wants Rita to be happy." There was something to be said about times like these. Shane treasured the joy all around her, surrounded by friends and family. In sync with his wife, Oliver thought the same and elevated a silent prayer of thanks, asking for health and grace for all those he held dear to his heart.

"Oliver."

"Yes, my love."

Shane noticed Juliette was sitting alone nursing a glass of wine.

"I'm going to sit with Juliette for a while. I think she has a thing for Franco."

"You've got to be kidding," Oliver said bemusedly. "Shane, how on earth do you pick up on these things?"

"I might be harboring an inner yenta." Shane's eyes glimmered with humor.

Oliver looked heavenward. "Lord help me, now my wife believes herself to be a matchmaker." He let out a big rush of air. "You do know the actual term for a Jewish matchmaker is shadchan. We have the movie Fiddler on the Roof to thankfor the yenta misconception."

Shane gave Oliver her best side-eye glare. "You can lecture me all about this later on, but right now I'm going to have some wine with Juliette and you can help Norman and Rita untangle themselves."

Tilting his head and looking at his wife with his unconscious penetrating gaze, Oliver said, "Alright, but please do remember you're going home with me tonight, Mrs. O'Toole."

"But of course, darling, how could I forget?" Shane gave her husband a quick peck on the lips and winked back at him as she sashayed her way to Juliette's table.

Juliette held a glass of red wine in her hands, but her attention was on the insanely attractive man leading the dance class. It should be illegal to be that handsome, she couldn't help but think. His prowling cat-like movements as he demonstrated the steps he was teaching had her mesmerized. What would it feel like to be wrapped within those arms? What would it feel like to be spun around like a rag doll, knowing that incredibly strong-looking man would take care of you and not let you fall?

"Dear Lord... he's just so unabashedly ugly…" Juliette said under her breath.

"What did you say?" Shane asked, as she slid onto the chair next to her.

Juliette turned bright red. She had been so lost in her thoughts she hadn't even noticed Shane approaching her, nor that she had spoken her thoughts out loud. She gave her a wry smile while answering her question. "Sorry, I have this quirk in which I refer to ridiculously gorgeous men as ugly. Maybe if I had done that with my ex-husband, I wouldn't have ended up with such a messy divorce."

Shane looked at her sympathetically while finding her "quirk" quite comical indeed. Holding Juliette's hand she said, "But you might not have had Olivier. That was the true blessing of that union."

Juliette's face softened thinking of her young son. Olivier was certainly her blessing and her one true love.

While Juliette and Shane chatted, Franco was ready to call it quits with the dance lesson. It was fun and he enjoyed leading the class, but he wanted to be done with his duties so he could finally talk to the brown-haired beauty who'd been ogling him the entire evening. He knew he drew attention from the opposite sex. He was used to it, relished it, and enjoyed it. On his own terms, of course. However, the brunette goddess who had sat along with Oliver's father and lady friend kept drawing his gaze like a magnet. There was an underlying sadness in her body language. It was subtle, but since he made a living teaching people how to move, he was adept at watching and studying the movements human bodies created. Franco was quite astute at picking up wordless cues and this ethereal looking creature oozed sadness. He had always been a sucker for cheering up a sad lady.

As soon as the basic class concluded, Franco noticed Shane was sitting with her. That was perfect. He could vie for an introduction.

"Hey, Franco! Come here!" Franco didn't have to wait. Shane called out and was already waving him over to the table. Was the damsel blushing? Well, well, well, he thought, that was certainly becoming, not to mention intriguing.

Franco sat on the chair next to Shane and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, giving her a brotherly squeeze. "You were pure rapture tonight, querida. I am so very proud of you and Ovileery."

When Juliette heard Franco's Argentinian accent, she didn't even think it was odd how he referred to Oliver. Her eyes just widened in amazement. The man's accent was like warm caramel sliding over creamy vanilla ice cream.

"Franco, may I introduce Juliette Cassar? Vivianne, my father-in-law's girlfriend, is her mother. Juliette, this is Franco Guglielmetti, my dance instructor and long-time friend of Ramon's." Shane grinned with satisfaction. She could already see the attraction between these two. It made her absolutely giddy!

They both extended their hands in greeting at the same time. Juliette felt her pulse racing at the warm touch of Franco's hand, while he felt himself sinking into the depths of her milk chocolate-colored eyes. This one is danger with a capital D, Juliette thought. She could totally see a multitude of women throwing themselves at this man, throngs lining up, vying for a second of his attention. Franco was the first to get his bearings. How could he be so affected by a woman he'd just met?

"Juliette Cassar?" Her name was familiar. "Did you write for the International Legal Journal? I seem to remember an article about the impact of social media on legal decision-making written by a J. Cassar."

Juliette's eyes almost bugged out while Shane uttered "What the Sam Hill!" under her breath!

"Franco, what in the world…" Shane cried out.

"Dear Shane, I studied law. I never practiced, though, much to the chagrin of my parents."

Finally able to speak, Juliette said, "Yes, that's me… But… Guglielmetti… that's a distinctive last name. You wouldn't happen to know a Gabriela Guglielmetti, would you"?

Now it was Franco's turn for his jaw to drop to the floor. "She's my sister!"

"Well… seeing that you two have so many things in common, I'll take my leave of you so you can get to know each other better. Have fun!" Shane drawled out in a sing-song-y voice. She covered her lips to hide a giggle. She couldn't wait to interrogate Juliette later! Her inner yenta couldn't be more pleased.

It turned out that Gigi, which she was often affectionately called, had been Juliette's student mentor back in college. He couldn't believe it. What were the chances? As they conversed, Juliette shared she had stopped practicing law to write full time. Franco quickly realized she was the author of his favorite detective series.

"Please don't tell me your pseudonym is J.C. Dupont?" Franco asked, totally spellbound by this beautiful, intelligent, multifaceted woman.

"Why, yes it is! Have you read my novels?" She asked excitedly.

"Read them? I've devoured them multiple times! They are very gripping stories. You certainly know how to craft a good mystery."

Franco stared at Juliette with such intensity she found herself completely disconcerted. She started fidgeting, as she always did when she got nervous. Franco took her hand with a firm, but gentle grip. Juliette's stomach flipped.

"Come, dance with me. The band's playing La cumparsita. That's my favorite classic tango tune." Franco didn't ask; he simply stated his desire to dance with her. It didn't cross his mind she might be too apprehensive to accept.

Juliette's eyes saddened for a micro-second, but Franco picked right up on her reaction. "I just… I don't know how…frankly, I've never tried dancing," she finally said.

He smiled softly. "It's the greatest joy of all, Juliette. Trust me. I'm a very good teacher and I'll show you everything I know."

Shane stood by the bar, glancing at Juliette and Franco as he led her to the dance floor. She was so pleased looking at the two of them and the beginning of their romantic story. Shane's expression was a glorious mix of happiness, satisfaction, and a hint of smugness. Twirling a wine glass between his hands, Ramon approached and stood beside Shane at the bar.

"You believe yourself to be a yenta, don't you, my dearest Shane"?

Her eyebrows shot up in amazement with a tinge of embarrassment. "Am I that obvious, Ramon?"

"No, but it takes a yenta to know another one, my dear." Ramon's eyes twinkled with amusement.

Before Shane could start interrogating Ramon, her mother approached, wanting to talk to her daughter for a bit.

"Ramon, I absolutely loved dancing with you. It took me back to Shane and Oliver's wedding! You can certainly make an old girl feel young again!" Sharon said pleasantly.

"Sharon, you are heaven to dance with and you are certainly not old! You are magnificent and ageless. And I do have to say, whoever taught you the tango did a superb job."

"Remind me to tell you about Facundo sometime, Ramon. We could go out for tapas," Sharon said excitedly.

"Mother, I don't think Ramon would want to hear about Facundo," Shane grimaced, the memory of the conversation about her mother and her lover…er…friend…still fresh in her mind.

"Nonsense, Shane! Who doesn't want to hear a story about love, sex, dancing and international espionage!"

"Dear heavens above…" Shane muttered.

Ramon's interest was piqued. "That sounds like a story I'd love to hear. We can share stories of the heart, querida Sharon."

"Oh, Ramon, that would be delightful! Before I forget though, there's something I must tell my daughter."

Shane took a big sip of her wine. Something told her she'd need fortitude.

"My darling, I want to stay in Denver. My house search begins tomorrow. I already put up my DC home for sale." Sharon shared eagerly.

Shane blinked and took another sip of wine. Her mind was racing. Her mother, living in Denver? Would this be a good idea?

"I've already talked to Oliver, my dear, and he thinks it's wonderful."

Shane's stance stiffened. "You talked to Oliver before saying anything to me?"

"Why, yes. He's so attuned to you and your feelings, I wanted to talk to him first. Test the waters, so to speak? He thought it was wonderful I might want to stay in Denver. He even teared up a bit, saying he couldn't believe the family you have given each other by way of your marriage."

Hearing those words softened Shane's sudden rough edges. Oliver was right. It was a blessing to have family close by, and she wanted to make up for the all the time she hadn't been able to be near her mom.

Shane hugged her mother and whispered in her ear, "I couldn't be more delighted about your decision, mother. I will help you in any way I can!"

"May I interrupt?" Sharon and Shane had forgotten Ramon was there listening to their exchange.

"Sure, Ramon, no problem," Shane said, smiling at her friend.

"I may be able to help Sharon find a house."

"I thought you didn't sell real estate anymore," Shane replied.

"No, I don't, but it just so happens a good friend of mine is here tonight and that's his business. Oh, he's coming over! Walter, my friend, over here!" Ramon called out excitedly. Shane's eyes narrowed when she saw the silver fox who was Ramon's so-called friend.

"Walter Williamson, this is my dear friend, Shane O'Toole, and her mother, Sharon McInerney. Sharon will be needing your real estate broker services."

Fully knowing her mother and recognizing the instant change in her expression, Shane knew she was reacting positively to this introduction. It gave off the exact same vibes she felt with Oliver when they'd first met at the coffee cart. She squeezed her eyes shut for a second in thinly veiled frustration. Letting her mother and this Walter person chat for a bit, she dragged Ramon off to a corner and said, "You! You're pulling a yenta on my mother!"

"Who, me? I just introduced a friend who can help darling Sharon find a house in Denver. That I was all I did, mi querida Shane."

"Don't you querida me, Ramon—"

He interrupted her. "Shane, you just pulled a yenta on Franco and Juliette, and Walter's my friend. Why can't I do the same?"

"Because it's my mother!" She cried out in exasperation.

"But I have such an amazing track record with you and Ovileer, along with Normando and dearest Rita."

"You what? You didn't bring either of us together at all!" Shane practically shouted. She was aghast in pure disbelief.

"I beg to differ, mi querida rubia. It was my dance teaching that brought all the feelings between you and Ovileer to the surface. That was so incredibly beautiful to watch." He brought a hand to his chest, as he misted over remembering. "And of course, I had to make Normando believe I had an interest in the glorious Rita, so he would finally make a move and make his feelings known to her."

"I don't believe this! You actually think you're the puppet master behind my marriage to Oliver as well as Rita and Norman's?"

"Oh yes!" Ramon smiled gleefully.

"Hmmmmphhh," Shane grunted. "Ramon, I'm going to leave that alone for now and suggest a wager."

Tilting his head in interest while leaning against the bar, Ramon asked, "What kind of wager?"

"I just set up Franco and Juliette, while you wrangled this beastly maneuver with my mother."

Ramon opened his mouth, ready to interrupt Shane and defend himself, but she brought her hand up demanding silence. Ramon immediately shut his trap, seeing his friend meant business.

Shane continued. "We let nature take its course, we absolutely do not intervene in any way whatsoever and see how their acquaintances develop. The couple who makes their feelings known first wins, along with their yenta."

"And what does the yenta win?" Ramon asked.

Shane crossed her arms across her chest, and said in a very serious tone, "Respect. Bragging rights. And if I win, you will take back your silly notion that you maneuvered Oliver and me."

"Awww, my Shane, that would be heart breaking!"

"Ramon!"

"Alright! You're on." They clasped hands and shook on their wager. "May the war of the yentas commence!"

This Author is excitedly rubbing his (her?) hands together. We all know Shane has it in her to win this wager, but what will it take exactly? Dear Reader, I do believe she might have a few tricks up her sleeve. Although we must all remember the course of true love never does run smoothly. I simply can't wait to see what future events might bring forth!